Vinous - Neal Martin (93-95)

The 2022 Chambertin Grand Cru takes time to settle in the glass. The exuberant bouquet has brambly red berry fruit, briar and a tang of shucked oyster shells, gaining intensity in the glass, though it doesn't quite match the precision of the Clos-de-Bèze. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, quite muscular in style as it approaches its bold finish. Very good length and impressive power, yet my affection lies with the Clos-de-Bèze this year.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)

Purple colour. A very heady nose, luxurious, nothing cooked. A consistent, coherent richness throughout, with a raft of tannins to finish, but they do not dry out the wine at all. A final ball of dark cherry fruit at the very end. Drink from 2032-2040. Tasted: October 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-92)

Not in bottle. Medium to bright purple. 50% whole bunch makes a more classic pinot fruit on the nose. Opens out very nicely, slightly more acidity than tannin to make the structure. No great density but pleasingly perfumed with raspberry and rose petals. Drink from 2027-2034. Tasted: October 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)

(5 Star Wine) First we tasted the component parts. (1) Young vines from 1980s. A deep concentrated purple. Lesser foliage in the hot dry summer has concentrated the colour and other aspects, giving a dark style of fruit as well, with a nutty finish, but good acidity. (2) A blend, mainly from plot #3 and a bit of #1. Mid purple in colour, less demonstrative on the nose. A much suppler style of fruit, less forceful acidity, fine length, more typical Epenots here. (3) Old vines, 90+ years old: A deep glowing purple. A little more intensity, a gorgeous quality of deep red fruit, just a touch tougher in its tannins, plus the acidity. (4) Press wine: dark purple, powerful rather than fine on the nose, more volatile, but could be useful in the blend. Sweet thick dark red to black fruit. Chunky stuff. And now the blend: A deep purple colour with only a very slightly lighter rim. The bouquet suggests poise as the fruit has melded together harmoniously. On the palate this is, as almost always, a much more complete wine than the individual parts. The wine seems to push down deeper while retaining all the class of the very best components. We are approaching the cusp of red and black fruit, the acidity is perfectly harnessed and the tannins are fine grained. Potentially a very fine Clos des Epeneaux. Drink from 2032-2040+. Tasted: October 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

80 year old vines in clay soil, a vineyard run by the Delaunay team. Destemmed 36% new wood, all destemmed. Dark crimson purple. The Chaponnières has a lovely bouquet of dense ripe cherries and a good fruit acid balance, I find this wine altogether livelier and more interesting than the Beaune Grèves. Drink from 2028-2035. Tasted: November 2023.

Burghound (94-97)

(from a 1.29 ha parcel). A classic Bèze nose of spice, earth and plenty of floral influence leads to succulent and round yet decidedly intense, muscular and powerful flavors that coat the mouth with sappy dry extract while delivering huge length on the seamlessly balanced if moderately austere finish. This is also terrific

Guffens Heynen Macon Pierreclos 1er Jus Chavigne 2022 is an exceptional product of meticulous craftsmanship nestled in the heart of the Macon Pierreclos region of France. Acclaimed wine producer Veronique and Jean-Marie Guffens bring their cultivated expertise in creating a wine enriched by regional terroir. The method, often referred to as 'premier jus', entails a meticulous single-pressing technique, resulting in a wine saturated with unspoiled, complex flavours. Guffens Heynen Macon Pierreclos 1er Jus Chavigne 2022 stands out for its luscious bouquet of ripe fruit, nuanced mineral undertones and sensuous hints of oak from labour intensive fermentation in French barrels. This luxurious White Burgundy wine exhibits the signature refinement & complexity that globally acknowledged experts consistently attribute to Guffens Heynen. A genuine testament to the artistry of the fine wine connoisseur, Guffens Heynen Macon Pierreclos 1er Jus Chavigne 2022 remains an indomitable symbol of French winemaking at its most exquisite.

Savour the luxurious Heritiers Comte Lafon Macon Bussieres Monsard 2022, steeped in the rich history of Comte Lafon's family vineyard, a renowned owner within Burgundy's prestigious Macon region. This typically elegant Chardonnay proffers the impeccable advantage of the Lafon heritage, underpinned by the family's traditional biodynamic viticulture practices and low-intervention philosophy in the cellar.

Grown in the venerable limestone soils, each grape is hand-picked and gently pressed to ensure the unique nuances of the fruit are captured. This particular vintage, following a languid maturation in aged barrels, exudes unrivalled minerality and bespoke terroir characteristics. Notes of pear, quince, and white blossom freely intertwine with a crisp, bright finish, defining an articulation of the inimitable Macon Bussieres terroir.

Heritiers Comte Lafon Macon Bussieres Monsard 2022: a sublime embodiment of the Lafon legacy, an outstanding testament to the excellence of the Macon region.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Mid cherry red. Seductive, sweet-floral, perfumed. Open and expressive. Then deeper and more savoury on the palate. Super-fine tannins with lots of layers so that overall they are slightly chewy. Multilayerd, deeply fruited and very long. A harmonious beauty.

Jancis Robinson (17.5)

Mid cherry red. Highly perfumed, impression of violets. That perfume leads you to a firmly but finely structured wine – the really elegant tannins are the main quality of the palate at the moment. A refined, pure and elegant beauty.

Hailing from the celebrated terroirs of Burgundy, the Jessica Litaud Macon Fuisse 2022 is an exceptional specimen of French finesse. Jessica Litaud, a boutique, family-run estate, artistically weaves complex, mineral-driven flavours into this distinguished expression of Chardonnay.

Crafted in the heart of the Maconnais region of Southern Burgundy, this esteemed wine is nuanced with the quintessential characteristics of its limestone and clay soils. A masterful balance of richness and freshness is achieved through judiciously controlled, traditional winemaking methods.

The Jessica Litaud Macon Fuisse 2022 is an elegant offering with a vibrant golden hue, opening up a palate of ripe orchard fruits, honeyed melon, and a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts. The finish, encapsulating undertones of citrus and stone fruit, leaves a lingering minerality, emblematic of its place of production. This is a wine that brings the artistry of Burgundian winemaking to your glass and captivates the senses, sip after exquisite sip.

The revered Jessica Litaud Macon Solutre-Pouilly 2022 is the embodiment of exceptional French winemaking tradition. Produced in the famed Maconnais region within southern Burgundy - renowned for its superior Chardonnay, Jessica Litaud embraces minimal intervention methods, allowing inherent terroir attributes to effectively shape the wine. The 2022 vintage demonstrates superior craftsmanship with a delicate balance of ripe fruit flavours, impressive minerality, and a structured finish.

Litaud's Solutre-Pouilly is derived from the lower slopes of the Roche de Solutré, a breath-taking limestone escarpment that confers nuanced complexity in the wine. Jessica, a visionary third-generation winemaker, infuses her commitment to sustainable viticulture practices in every bottle.

Savour this elegant French delight today: the Jessica Litaud Macon Solutre-Pouilly 2022 represents a superlative expression of the Macon appellation's potential.

Wine Advocate (93-94)

The 2022 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens is excellent, wafting from the glass with aromas of plums and raspberries mingled with exotic spices, orange zest and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, its textural attack segues into an unctuous core of fruit, concluding with a long, expansive finish.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (96-99)

A rich purple in colour. The bouquet does not deliver much as yet but the fruit is so seductive at the front of the palate, though still very unresolved further back with fresher tannins which still need time to integrate. I expect the 2022 Chambertin to have excellent keeping qualities. Drink from 2035-2045+. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

A fine mid ruby colour. The bouquet has both charm and density in a very happy balance. A lovely aftertaste of soft strawberry and fresh raspberry, the graceful side of Pommard with the tannins nicely covered. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

(5 Star Wine) Not too deep in colour, with rather a stylish perfumed raspberry fruit. Light fresh acidity, behind the beautifully balanced fruit, a few tannins too, but the fruit stretches out wonderfully behind them. The benefit of ancient vines is clear to see. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted: November 2023.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (91-93)

(5 Star Wine) Not too deep in colour, with rather a stylish perfumed raspberry fruit. Light fresh acidity, behind the beautifully balanced fruit, a few tannins too, but the fruit stretches out wonderfully behind them. The benefit of ancient vines is clear to see. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted: November 2023.